School-Linked Human Services: A Comprehensive Strategy for Aiding Students at Risk of School Failure. Report to the Chairman, Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate.

General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Div. of Human Resources.

Since 1980, at least 8 states and more than 200 localities have developed programs that deliver a variety of health, social, and education services at or near schools. Many of the students served by these programs are at risk of failing in school or dropping out. These comprehensive school-linked programs are attempting to improve the educational performance and well-being of at-risk, school-age children by addressing their multiple needs in a coordinated manner at school sites. This report reviews such school-linked programs that provide students with at least three of four primary services--health, education, social services, and employment training--from the school site. The body of the report describes the background of the study and summarizes principal findings, specifically why programs vary and what common elements they share. Appendix 1 explains the objectives, scope, and methodology used to review the delivery of human services at schools. Appendix 2 describes the following school-linked programs, including problems encountered: (1) School-Based Youth Services Program, New Jersey; (2) Kentucky Integrated Delivery System and Family Resource and Youth Services Centers; (3) Texas Communities in Schools; (4) Effective Schools Initiative for Homeless Children and Youth Program, Seattle, Washington; (5) Lawrence New Futures Initiative, Lawrence, Massachusetts; (6) Chatham-Savannah Youth Futures Authority; Savannah, Georgia; (7) New Futures School, Albuquerque, New Mexico; (8) Family Learning Center, Leslie, Michigan; (9) Linn County Youth Service Teams, Oregon; (10) Madison Park Humphrey Center High School, Boston, Massachusetts; and (11) New Beginnings, San Diego, California. Appendix 3 contains summary evaluations on the effectiveness of 6 programs, 5 of which suggest that comprehensive school-linked programs can have a positive short-term impact on improving academic achievement and reducing absenteeism and dropout rates. Thirty-nine references are included. (SM)